Bomb release



Dec. 18, 1945. L J. EYLER BOMB RELEASE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G- Z.

L. J. EYLER BOMB RELEASE Dec. 18, 1945.

Filed Jan. 2l, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill lllluulll L. J. EYLER BOMB RELEASE Dec. 18, 194.5.

8 sheets-sheet 3' Filed Jan. 21, 1937 wis /NveNroQ 4x4/@ENCE j f EP Dec. 18, 1945. L J. EYLER 2,391,012

BOMB RELEASE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 18, 1945. L. J. EYLER BOMB RELEASE Filed Jan. 21, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 LAWRENCE J. EVL ex? L. J. EYLER Dec. 18, 1945'.

BOMB RELEASE Filed Jan. 2l, 1931"?y 8' Sheets-Sheet 6 LAWREA/ae J En. Ez?

Dec. 18, 1945.' L; J. EYLER 2,391,012

BOMB RELEASE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 7.

rroR/veys Dec. 1s, 1945. L J EYLER 2,391,012

BOMB RELEASE ,4 #was/VCE J. fr; z-R

4free/vers Patented Dec. 18, 1945 BOMB RELEASE Lawrence J. Eyler, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of War Application January 21, 1937, Serial No. 121,578

(Cl. S29- 1.5)

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to the release of bombs from aircraft, and is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 31,424 filed in the United States Patent Oice July 15, 1935, wherein I have described novel means for enabling successive release of bombs supported on vertical racks, whether or not such bombs are supported from successive stations on such racks or on companion racks, or at will to enable substantial simultaneous release, that is, release in salvo, of all such bombs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such bomb releasing means which will safely and positively select and condition the proper bomb station to be released, the next in the intended order of release, and which will operate to prevent the release of any other bomb or bombs, except in the event that it is desired to salvo and drop all bombs, as might be required in the event a bombing airplane is about to make a forced landing Without having discharged its bombs.

It is a further Aobject to provide such a device which is adaptable to the successive release of bombs of varying sizes from any given rack, or from alternate racks, so that if the size of the bombs, or the relative size of different bombs, is such that certain stations of the rack are unoccupied and not cocked the device will automatically select and condition each cocked station in succession, skipping the uncooked station to the end vthat the bomber need only press an actuating button and each time such button is pressed the next bomb in order will be released, Whether or not that bomb is supported on a station next to the previously released station, or is supported from a station spaced (of course, by an unoccupied station) from the previously released station. Thus the bomb rack stations may be loaded in any sequence desired or rendered necessary, due to the relative size of different bombs, and still the bomber may drop the next bomb in order each time he pushes the solenoid button at the bomb sight. This is made possible without any permanent rearrangement of any of the parts of this mechanism; in other words, regardless of the loading of large or small bombs, mixed or otherwise, each time the bomber presses the solenoid button he releases the next bomb onV the rack or companion rack. Thus is fullled one of the objects of this invention, to make the selection of the next bomb to be released automatic. Each time the solenoid button at the bomb sight is pushed to close the switch in the solenoid circuit the next bomb is released.

A further object of this invention is to provide mechanism such that the selector bar shall pass through all empty bomb rack stations, and stop at the station of the next bomb on the rack or companion rack to be released, thus making the selection of loaded and cocked stations automatic.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism such that the selecting bar shall be automatically and electrically advanced through all empty bomb rack stations by a single operation of the solenoid control button, to condition and release the next bomb on the rack or companion ra'ck, thus accomplishing the skipping of the unoccupied stations electrically.

It is a further object to provide safety locking means in such a bomb release which will prevent recocking of stations which have not been cocked until all parts are in proper position for such cooking thereby preventing accidental dropping of a bomb during the operation of securing another bomb in place.

It is a further object to provide in such a bomb release, means for locking all the stations against release thus preventing accidental dropping of bombs under any circumstances until this safety device has been moved to the unlocked position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in such a bomb release means for locking all the stations against release and for simultaneously locking the solenoid operating mechanism thusv preventing accidental tripping of the release mechanism at any station of the rack while bombs are being loaded thereon.

A further object is to enable the ground personnel to cock all bomb shackles and bomb stations, and to lock them with the salvo locking so that any succession of large or small bombs may be loaded into the racks or companion racks in the locked position, making it possible, once the bomb stations are cocked, to load and make the plane ready for a bombing mission Without releasing the salvo lock mechanism.

It is a further object, in conjunction with a plurality of racks which are to be discharged in succession, to provide means which is automatically operable, following release of the last bomb from any given rack, to energize the next rack or the operating means therefor so that this second rack can be discharged merely by further operation of a common operating means such as a push button, without putting any burden of selection or transfer upon the bomber.

It is a further object of the invention to pro- Generally speaking it is an object of this in vention to improve, simplify and make moresafefand certain the operation of suchbombrreleases, and further objects particularlysllbh.'spertain to mechanical details and arrangementsas will be understood as this specication proceeds.

My invention comprises the novel partsand the novel combinations and relative arra,rige Ine-nt` thereof, as shown in the accompanying drawings, described in this specication, andmore particu@ larly pointed out by the claims appendedi thereto.

Eigllre 1 i531! eleafm O th? Yeleise mchafe nism'including three stations.

`Feiilte" 2""15. e( leleitlleinal' eeetieltv partly, in. elevation# teken' through. the. release meeheiiiem show ITieefes 3? 4. elndt 5. aufe elevations through. e. given station, sh-owingv sucessive stagesY inf' the b'ee'tirl'ef eleesinej e, .heme frere Silehstetien. Eiere 6 is eireleveten ef'pelteinthe position, shown in Ffg'ui'e 3. l

' 'Figure "7- is; a` transyersesetion on the line ,lj- 1v @fr-Figure 6.

' Figure Sis an elevationkthrougha single sta.- toi`llstratirg particularly, the, v tripping, and; ciribirdsalvoi'g; andlcrcking mechanism, show inglparts iri'fheloekd r'zffition;

"Fiele 9' is" 'eziieli 'elevetien Shewne.. Perte: in the salvoed'position "Figure 10 i i`s` anj 'electrical p diagram illustrating thefhook-up between, the :several racks, -Where a pluralityV are employed" to bel'operatedin suc,- cssin.

Figure ll-isA anelevation of-1 a modifiedeform yof` release 'mechanism in'clr'iding three stations.,

Figure 12 is a .longitudinalfseetionepartly in elevation taken 'through 4tlrie meehanisml illus: ttedl Figlel 'i y' `4 Figure' i l@ is `a Lfront elevatiorr of the"V tripperVv assembly-, one-'f wh'iclfi isfprovidedat eaclfrr g 'i' th7 release-"mechanism illustratedin Figure 'i4-ris a side elevati-onv serribly illustrated-irrligur 13.3`

Figurefl-is a* viewfsim'ilar to` Fig. 15; withthe elements! infdfifferent operating positions:-

Figures'.` l7=- and 18l are elevations th-roughj a given stationl-of the release mechanismillustrated in Eig'uelfl .showing the relation-- o'fl the-parts in;- theLeventAof -suchstation being uncockedyin-order to-skipsuchfuncocked station;

Figure 19f-is -an elevationthrough a single ^`statier-'1v ofi the releasemechanism shownV`` ine Figure l 1,-.illustratingparticularly they tripping and com\ lloined salvoing andlecking-mechanismi showing'- tlie parts inthe locked position;

Figure- 20- is a similar illustrationfshQWi-ng'the parts-in thesalvoed position.- v

ligurelV 2l1 isafrontV elevation'jof 'then solenoid* gear operatingmchanism;

Figure .2e-eee;eeetienelrview-e1iee.@the line' 23-123 'of'Figlure 225' Y Figure,v 24 'eleetrical 4diagram, of the/icon ef the iriepergeef.

trol system used in the release mechanism illustrated in Figure 11.

Essentially the invention comprises a release device at each station forming the operative connection. between suchy stationsr and the bomb shagkiey (not shown), suitable means at. each station for maintaining or holding this release device in cocked position and capable of .being tripped to effect release of the bomb, and three i devices controlling the operation of the holding device, thesey three, devices being common to and preferablyv extending through all stations.

' Thesev threedevices may be designated, one,

a solenoid bar I, because it is conveniently operable byenergizationof a solenoid I3 through the2 pressing of a push button P, and which solenoid bar serves as the actuating or tripping means; another; aL salvo fbar 2 which is preferably-.manuallytoperated, and which when actuated Will. engage and, release ell, the, retaining: means 0.0. i relet$-ef them, and their. associated; releaselhk tend; W111i.eJfUlrleuI another. pesitien .seri/e.. a safety lock for all' the sisatigrls; and; thetl'iird; astationselectqr bar, 3j Whiclinmoves, WitfLrel'abiente' all; the., Stetens.. eind comes into. operf. @tive reletionshinwith theseveratcecked ,stations iii-succession ,togcondltlng themL stbyi displacing a tripping; deyice orslide pinl dintotpfatlfiof thesol'enoidj b ar I; so that' upon moyementlof theA solenoidjbar thisl tripping,v device or slidepin 4" is engaged and this particularA selected statin isA released; the selector" bar; il thereafter moving to the n extlcocked station'to; condition; the latter for release uponv further actuatllfftl'e solenoid -bar I.

The station;v selectorl bar Seis so cpntrolledftlfiat if Jan intermediate" station is not cocked; ,it will skipmhis Yunlockedstation aridcondi-ti'on the-nextI coekedestation; thereby avoiding the necessity`l of" consciously advancing;` the station selectorj bar throughM a 'deador'uncockedistation andinsur'-` ing that` each pressure uponethje controllingbutton'P twillfresultin the-releasegof the' next bomb'.

Before proceeding-jte^` a' detailed description'. ofL the several barsf and-the pin 4 it"may be"noted that the setting or cockingmechanism atfeacli" station, the detailseofarelargely-immaterial; may conveniently comprisel anarm; 9II"A pivotedJ at 9`I i andi connectedY toeth'e' releasev` liirli 9% whichlatten is acted nupon` by `aspringi9Zitten'dfing to throwlthe g arm andlink-gto, the right; as"Y seen in lil'igure-Z; tlie=link being conr1ected-"-toL anarm- 93 which releasesthe bomb fromi-,the shackle (netJ shown): Likewise pivotede' at 9F to v`move With-- the arm L anearmj y9Mprovidedi' with a A stepe'shoulderfat its= end-e engageableabyg' a3 spring-held latelyv 95 e pivetedA atil S16-` Tof`- coele' thegstatin -tl iearm-94 is-presvsedfinward ir'ijopy position-` toethe'spi-ingl 922'- until--=it is-engaged`-by-f 'the 1ateh= 915,4' thisresultir-ig,int compressing the1 suppertedeupnjsuitablef-ramework:generally'ine 'dicated by the numeral 8, at each station, these 4I is received the slide pin 4, previously referredA to, this being acted upon by a spring 42 tending to move the pin 4 to the right, as seen in Figures 6 and '1. In the position described its right hand endV is Yin the path of a Sear or cam 34Y on theV station selector bar 3, and its left hand end is out of the path of the sear I4, on the solenoid bar I. So long as the station selector sear 34 has not engaged and moved the slide pin 4 to the left in opposition to the spring 42, the pin cannot be engaged by the sear I4 on the solenoid bar, so that the solenoid bar may be reciprocated without effecting release of a bomb from this station, but when the station selector bar 3 has been moved to bring its sear 34 for some selected station into engagement with the pin 4 of that station, this pin, being moved to the left, is now projected into the path of the solenoid sear I4, which position is illustrated in Figures 6 and '7, and this particular station is now conditioned ready for release, and at the next reciprocation of the solenoid bar the sear I4 will engage and depress the now projecting end of the pin 4, thus releasing the latch 95 from the arm 94 and permitting the link 9 to move to the right, as` seen in Figure 2, releasing the bomb associated with this link. The lower-most bomb in Figure 2 has been shown thus released and the intermediate station is now conditioned and ready for release of its bomb, while the upper-most station is not yet conditioned.

'I'his selection of the station is accomplished by the station selector bar 3. This bar is provided with a plurality of sears 3 I, 32 and 33, one for each station. The end of each of these sears is positioned to engage the shoulder 91 on the arm 94 of its particular station, and by thus engaging the shoulder 91 movement of the station selector bar 3, in response to its spring 39, is stopped, and the station selector sear 34 is brought into position to move the pin 4 of this particular station into the path of the solenoid sear I4. This condition is illustrated in Figures 3, 6 and 7. After tripping or lease of this station, illustrated in Figure 4, the arm 94 es away from the latch 95, under the influence of spring 92 whereupon the station selector bar 3 is free to move, under the inuence of the tension spring 39, and a sear, 3I for example, moves under the cut-away portion 98, previously referred to, as illustrated in Figure and now this station cannot be recocked until the station selector bar has been moved back to its initial position. However, the next sear, 32 for example, has come into engagement with the shoulder 91. 'of the next station above, provided that station was cocked. If it was not cocked, the sear 32 passes by this station, and the station selector bar 3 does not stop until the next sear 3 has come into engagement with the shoulder 91 of the next station in the rack, which we can assume is cocked. Thus the station selector bar automatically passes through any uncooked station and conditions the next cocked station.

The salvo bar 2 is provided with a slot at 20 which embracesl the head 4I carrying the slide pin 4. This slot is provided with a cam surface 2l leading to a notch 22, which when it engages the head 4, holds the latter against any movement which would release the bomb, and thus the solenoid sear I4, if operated, cannot depress the pin 4 of an armed station, and consequently all the parts are locked and held safely against release of any bomb. This position of the parts is illustrated in Figure 8. If, however, the salvo bar 2 is moved to an intermediate position, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the parts are unlocked and ready for release of a bomb.

If it is desired to drop all bombs simultaneously the salvo bar is moved upward, and a cam surface 23 leading to a notch 24 depresses the head 4I inthe same manner that itn is depressed by engagement of the sear I4 with the pin 4', except that the engagement is now between the cam 23 and the head 4I, and this depresses and trips all the stations substantially simultaneously, and all bombs are consequently released at once. This position of the parts is shown inFigure 9. Preferably the several cams 23 are so spaced that lower stations are released slightly in advance of the next station above, so that a stripping action, or successive release occurs. The mechanism for operating the salvo bar is preferably manual, and is shown as a bell crank lever 25 operable by a link 26 shown in Fig. 2 extending to the bombers station.

It is frequently desirable to connect two such racks for alternate operation, for the stations may be so spaced as to receive the smallest size of bomb, and when larger bombs are employed it may be necessary to use alternate stations, and to stagger the relationship of the occupied and cocked stations in the two connected racks, so that a bomb may be released first from one rack, then the next bomb from another rack, then a bomb from the rst rack, and so on. In order to connect the racks for such operation, rack teeth 29 are provided on each station selector bar 3, engageable by a pinion 3'8 on a shaft 33 (see Figs. 1 and 2), whereby movement of one station selector bar is communicated to the companion station selector bar in the other rack, and a stoppage of either one eifects the stoppage of the other. Similarly, rack teeth I9 are provided on each of the solenoid bars I, with which is engageable a pinion I8 on a shaft IB, this shaft extending to the companion pinion and solenoid bar in the companion release mechanism. On this shaft I6 may be secured an arm I5 suitably connected to the solenoid I3, whereby energization of the solenoid will rotate the shaft I6 to effect release of a bomb. All the salvo bars may be connected by means such as the link 26 to a common point where all can be operated manually together.

For a condition where two or more racks are to be operated in succession (as distinguished from alternately) by a common push button P, there is provided a cut-over switch 5, the handle 5I of which projects in the path of an abutment 35 on the station selector bar 3, as shown in Figs. 2 and 10. When the station selector bar has released the last station in its rack the abutment 35 strikes the arm 5I, throwing the switch 5 to an opposite position, and as may be seen in Figure l0, when this occurs the particular solenoid controlling this release mechanism is thrown out of the circuit, and the next solenoid for the next release mechanism in order is thrown into the circuit so that by repeated pressure upon the push button P in the hands of the bomber all stations of the first rack are released in succession and .then all stations of the next and succeeding racks are released in succession, automatically and without any thought on the .part of the bomber.

.A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1l to 24 inclusive. Essentially this modication of my invention is substantially :the samein its general scope as the invention set forth herein-above in connection with Figures i to 10 inclusive in that it comprises a release device at each station forming the operative connection between such stationsy and the bomb shackle .(not shown), suitable means vat'each station for maintaining or holding this release device in cocked position and cap-able of being .tripped to eect release of the bomb'. It may :be .distinguished from the foregoing embodiment of vmy invention, however, in that it comprises only two `devices controlling the .operation of the holding device, these two devices being common to and preferably ex tending ytl'xroilgh all stations.

These two devices may be designated; one, a salvo bar |02 which is preferably manually l.operated and which when actuated vtdll engage all the retaining means to release them .and their .associate release links |39, andcwhioh may in another 'position serve as Va safety lock for .all stations.; :and the second a tripping bar itl operable by .energization of a solenoid Vmechansin :2 l.I 3 through the pressing of la push button P', said tripping bar not only serving as the actuating or tripping succession to condition and release them, as by engaging the pin |04 of a tripping device to .cause this particular .selected station .to be released, the .tripping bar simultaneously moving into operative relationship with respect 1to the next .cocked station to condition the latter for release. yThe tripping vbar is so controlled that if an intermedate station is lnot cocked :it will .be automatically advanced through .a dead or uncooked station the control button P' is `depressed andcondition and release the next cocked station, thus insuring that each pressure v upon the l,cor-rtm1 ibut- -ton P will result in the release of Aanother bomb.

The setting or cocking mechanism,.one.of ,winch is iprovided .at Aeach station -of vthe rack, :generally comprises an arm I Ill Afreely .pivoted ,at :i and `connected to the yrelease dink .|:|,2, r=.wh'1'.clfi latter iis acted upon ,byaspring :|;.|.3 tending :toithrow the arm and flink to the right as indicated viriiigure l12, the link being connected yto .an .arm ihm which releases the bomb .from the shackle (not shown).

I1 ris in engagement with the .arm .|.'|5 the bomb cannot be released. -A torsion .spring .H9 .surrounding the Ypivot of the latch ll'l Iholds sthelatter in engagement with the arm :M5 and .urges the `latch in the direction so as .to engage vthe :said arm.

The pivots .If|:I and H8 and .guide pins |320, which latter guide the `salvo .and tripping ibars through the medium of vslots -in the said lbars,

are f conveniently lsupported upon Ysuitable brackets, generally indicated -by @the'inumeral |21, gt

'- the camming teeth V|32 and |33.

each station, these. brackets being supported within a channel |22 extending between the sev'- eral stations.

Garried on the pivots |18 to swing with the `latch H1 is a lever arm |23 upon the swinging end of which lis transversely arranged the -pin |134, heretofore mentioned. Swinging .of this arm and consequently of the latch lll, is limited hy engagement Aof the pin |04 within an aper.- ture :|64 of the salvo bar |02,

In the cooked position .of the tripping mecha.- -nisrn hereinabove described, the intermediate portion .of the pin L04 is projected in the path of a trip sear 12.5 on the tripping .bar 10|. Thus when the tripping :bar has moved `in relation to some selected station td position .the trip Sear |25 adjacent the pin :|4, as illustrated in vFigure 15, this particular station is now ,conditioned for release and at the next movement .of the trip..- ping bar the Sear |25 willengage its pin |64 and depress the lever varm |23, thus releasing the latchV 1H from the arm H15 and permitting the link |.|2 .to move tothe right as seenin Figure 12, releasing the bomb associated with 4this link. The relation .of the several stations of the rack vin this modification of my invention is similar `to that show-n in Figure 2 of the .drawings That yis to say, the loweremost .bomb in Figure 1 2 is shown :as having Ibeen released and .the intermediate staton is now `conditioned and ready for release .of its bomb, While the upper-most station is' not yet -in .condition for release.

The movement of the tripping `:bar vlill past :the `several stations .of the rack is .controlled by ener..- .gization .of the solenoid mechanism 2f|3 hereto- .fore mentioned.' As shown in Figures 21, 22 and '23, the upper end` of the .tripping :bar is opera- .tively connected cto a gear rack |26 that is slid- -ahle longitudinallyr in va housing |2J conveniently supported yupon ,the .upper ohannelling .of the rack. vThe teeth .of this gear lrack vmesh with a pinion |28 which is keyed to a rotatable cross yshaft |29. Keyed upon this same shaft, for rotation with. the pinion 12,8, is a Yratchet wheel |130 Aformed v.with a central :series of :ratchet teeth 1311 and sets of .camming teeth .|312 .and |33 ,respectively which are .disposed on opposite sides of :the ratchet teeth .|.3.|. The :teeth .of the .ratchet `wheel |30 are adapted for .beingengaged by the v.l-iookend Aof a spring :tensioned .pawl piece 4534 .pivotedzat :135. :Carried .on the .pivot |35 .to swing with the pawl .piece :|34 are va :pair of arms "|36 provided at their swinging ends .with cam.- -ming surfaces adapted Vfor respectively engaging The opposite Vor ffre'e iendof ythe pawl .piece SI'3'4 :is provided with a shouldered arm 3.1 adapted `for. being .engaged by .a latch .133. This latch is Apivotally secured .for swinging movement upon the Vouter Yend .of va spring tensioned iplunger shaft .|139 which is slidableiin asolenoid |43.

Likewise -pivo'ted at |35 -to .swing .independently of 'the pawl piece '|34 iis a release .member I4-'L This :member .comprises `slide .plates .|42 carrying rollers |43 which. ride upon the Jcam.- min-g .teeth |32 and |33, heretofore mentioned.

The outer or swinging `end fof :the release xmem.- ber M1 :carries a stud JLM, which. flatter is adapted lfor engaging `a sear M5 projecting from the lower end/ofthe latch |38.

4The iouter end Vof the cross shaft 429 has -xedly secured Ithereto a dri-ving -drum` upon which is wound :aca-ble |-I4T,.-as shown LinFig. 11. The one end :of :this ycable is secured against rotation on` thedrum while theopposite end-fof the-cable is operatively connected to the free end of a tension spring |48, the latter being .secured in any convenient manner on the framework of the rack.

The cable |41 is rotatable by means of a sprocket and endless chain arrangement generally indicated by numeral |40.

The operation of the solenoid gear mechanism is as follows: Each time that the push button P is depressed to energize the solenoid |40, the plunger shaft |39 moves rvertically downward and at the same time the latch |30, moves to the left as seen in Figure 22, whereupon the pawl piece |34 is lifted clear of the ratchet teeth |3l. At this time, the ratchet Wheel |30, under the influence of the spring |48 will be rotated in a clock-wise direction to move the tripping bar past the several stations of the rack. As the plunger shaft |39 is moved down by energization of the solenoid, the rollers |43 of the release member |4| are engaged by the camming teeth |32 and |33 to lift the swinging end of the release V member into operative engagement with the sear |45 and raise the engaging end of the latch |38 free of the paWl piece |34 so that the hook end ofthe latter being then free to move to the left as seen in Figure 22, may engage the next tooth of the ratchet wheel |30l and prevent further rotation thereof.

Thus, each time that the solenoid is energized a step by step advance of the tripping bar past the several stations of the rack is obtained to move the several tripping sears of the tripping bar into operative relationship with each cocked station in succession to trip and release the same.

The selection of the stations is accomplished by the tripping bar |l. This bar is provided with a plurality of station selector sears |50, and |52, one for each station, each sear being positioned adjacent to and in advance of a companion trip sear as illustrated in Figure 12. The outer end of each sear is positioned to en gage the camming finger |53 of an arm |54 of its particular station, said arm being pivotally mounted at |55 upon a lever |55 to enable the said camming iinger to swing laterally of the tripping bar |0| and into the path of its companion selector sear. The arm |54 is acted upon by a spring |51 tending to move the same to the right as seen in Figure 17. The inner end of the camming finger |53 is provided with a roller |50 which engages a camming portion |59 formed on and movable with the arm ||5, heretofore mentioned. Swinging of the arm H5, and consequently of the camming portion i59 will cause the arm |54 to pivot left or right, as will appear hereinafter, and swing the camming finger |53 into or out of the path of its particular station selector sear.

The lever |56, which is pivoted at |60 in the bracket |2| is provided at its swinging end with a contact |6| adapted for engaging a, complemental contact |62 conveniently supported upon and insulated from the bracket of this particular station, said lever being acted upon by a spring |65 tending to normally maintain the contacts |6| and |52 in contactual relationship.

From the foregoing description it may be understood that so long as the particular station is cocked, the relation of the parts will be as indicated in Figure 13. That is to say, the roller Consequently, the camming nger |53 is out of the path of its particular station selector sear and cannot be engaged by the latter upon movement of the tripping bar downwardly to effect a breaking of the contacts |6| and |62. Since, however, the trip pin |04 heretofore mentioned is projected in the path of the trip sear |25, which position is illustrated in Figure 14, when the tripping bar |0| is advanced one step by energization of the solenoid |40 through operation of the push button P', the trip sear |25 Will engage and depress'the projecting end of the pin |04, thus releasing the latch from the arm ||5 and permitting the link |09 to move to the right, as seen in Figure 12, and releasing the bomb associated with this link.

The lower-most bomb in Figure 12 has been shown thus released and the relationship of the parts at the intermediate station is suchthat should this particular station be cocked, such station would be conditioned and ready for release of its bomb, while the upper-most station is not yet conditioned.

If, however, the intermediate station is dead or unoccupied by a bomb, the relation of the parts will be as indicated in Figures v16 and 17. That is to say, the roller |58 has now been engaged by the camming portion |59 to move the arm |54 to the left, thus swinging the finger |53 laterally and into the path of its companion station selector sear, |5I for example, where it may be engaged by the latter. Inasmuch as the ringer |53 is now projected in the path of its station selector sear |5|, when the tripping bar |0| is advanced by depressing the controlling button P to cause energization of the solenoid, the station selector sear |5| will engage the nger |53 and swing the lever |56 about its pivot, causing the contactors |5| and 52 at this particular station to momentarily break. The momentary separation of the contactors will operate to deenergze and then quickly reenergize the solenoid and advance the tripping bar |0| a second step even tho the controlling button P has been depressed but once and move said bar into operative relationship with the next or succeeding cocked station so that the trip sear |25 of this particular cocked station will engage and depress the projecting end of the trip pin |04 of this particular station, thus releasing the latch 'l from its companion arm 5 and permitting the link |09 of that station to be moved to the right releasing the bomb associated with this link.

Thus it will be seen that the tripping bar, through the medium of the several station selector sears provided thereon, is so controlled in its movements that if an intermediate station is dead or unoccupied, the said tripping bar will be caused to skip this uncocked station and condition and release the next cocked station, thereby avoiding the necessity of consciously depressing the controlling button P to advance the said tripping bar through the dead or uncocked station and insuring that each pressure upon the controlling button will result in the release of another bomb.

As shown in Figures 19 and 20 the salvo bar |02 heretofore mentioned is provided with a slot |64 which embraces the pin |04 carried upon the arm |23. This slot is provided with a cam surface leading to a notch |66, which when it engages the pin |04 holds the latter against any movement which would release the bomb, and thus the solenoid mechanism if operated, cannot de press the pin |04 of an armed station, and consequently all parts are locked and held safely against the release of any bomb. This position ofthe parts is illustrated in Figure 19. If, however, the salvo bar |02 is moved to an intermediate position, as shown in Figure 14, the parts are unlocked and ready for Selective release of a bomb.

If it is desired to drop all bombs simultaneously, or in salvo, the salvo bar lismoved upward, and a cam surface |61', leading to a notch |68, depresses the pin |04 in the same manner that it is depressed by engagement of the trip sear |25, except that the engagement is now between the cam surface |61 and the outer end of the pin |04, land this depresses and trips all the stations substantially simultaneously, and all the bombs positioned at the several stations are released at once. This position of the parts is illustrated. in Figure 20. As mentioned hereinabove in connection with the embodiment of my invention. illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the several cam surfaces |61 are so spaced that lower stations are released slightly in advance of the next station above so that a stripping action, or successive release, occurs. The mechanism for operating the salvo bar is preferably manual, and is shown as a bell crank lever |69 operable by a link |10 extending to the bombers station.

To further insure against the release of any bombs from the several stations when the salvo bar. is in the locked position, I provide a second arm |1| which is xed to and movable with the bell crank lever |69 heretofore mentioned. This arm is connected. to a locking arm |12 pivoted at |13 by a connecting link |14. Carried on the pivot |13 to swing with the locking arm |12 is a lever |15 which is swingable into the path of movement of the hook end of the pawl piece |34 heretofore mentioned` Thus, as long as the salvo bar |02 is in its locked position, and should the solenoid be accidentally or otherwise energized, pivotable movement. of the hook end of the pawl piece |34 is restrained tok prevent its disengagement from the ratchet wheel |30. The solenoid mechanism hereinabove mentioned is also provided with means whereby a train of bombs may be released one ata time or. at regular intervals or consecutively and in rapid succession.

As shown in Figure 22 the rearward end of the plunger shaft |39 is formed with a rod extension |16 the latter being provided adjacent its free end with a,- U-shaped cavity |11 in which isengaged a pin |18 carried by a brackety |19, said bracket being pivotally mounted in the solenoid housing as indicated at |80. The swinging end of the bracket |19 is provided with a breaker contact |8| adapted. for engaging a complemental contact |82` carriedin the solenoid housing.

The operation of the train release mechanism is as follows:

Each time that the push button P is depressed, the solenoid upon being energized, will pull the plunger |39 and latch |38` downwardly asxpreviously described.

The distance between the side walls of the cavity |11 is such that during the initial downward movement of the. plunger |39 and latch |38, only a sliding engagement occurs between the cavity 11 and the pinV |18. As the extension |16 approaches the end of its downward travel. the inner wall of the U-shaped cavity will engage the pin |18, thereby effecting a swinging movement of the bracket |19 to the left to separate theA contacts 8 I and |82. When this occurs the solenoid' will be deenergized and the plunger shaft |39' under the action of its return spring will be moved to its initial position, and move the extension |16 toits initial POSQB. @S

seen in Figure 22. At this time the outer wall of the cavity |11 will reengage the pin |18 and move the bracket |19 to the right. Consequently the contacts |8| and |82 will again move into respective engagement with one another to complete the circuit through the solenoid.

From the foregoing it willl be apparent that as long as the push button P' is depressed and maintained, in such depressed position, a rapid energization and deenergization of the solenoidv takes place so that the bombs at each station may be released one at a time at regular intervals and in rapid succession.

In Figure 24 I have illustrated the electrical control system for operatingy the bomb rack. It will bel noted that the energy for actuating the solenoid is supplied by a battery |83, the one terminal 0f which is electrically connected to the push button P', hereinabove mentioned. The push button P' is connected in series with a reversing switch |84, in the one position of which the current from the battery |83 is directed thru a main lead wire |85 to the lowermost set of contacts |6| and |62 provided at each station of the rack. As shown in Figure 24 the several sets of such contacts are in series relationship with respect to one another and are connected to the solenoid by a return wire |86, which latter is in turn connected to the opposite terminal of the battery.

Thus it will be seen that as long as the reversing switch is in the position illustrated in full line in Figure 24, current will be supplied to the solenoid through the several sets of contacts provided at each station of the rack to enable selective release of the bombs at each cocked station. If it is desired to effect a train release of the bomb at the several stations of the rack the reversing switch |84 is moved to the dotted position illustrated in FigureV 24. In so doing the solenoid circuit is completed through the contacts |8| and |82 hereinbefore mentioned rather than through the several sets el contacts provided at each station 0f the rack.

It is frequently desirable to connect two bomb racks for alternate operation, for\ the stations of the rack may be so spaced as to receive the smallest size of bombs, and when larger bombs are. employed it may be necessary to use alternate stations, and to stagger the relationship of the occupied and cocked stations in the two connected racks, so that a bomb may be released first from one rack, then the next bomb4 from another rack, then a bomb from the first rack, and so on. In order to connect the racks for such operation each tripping bar |0| may be provided with rack teeth, each engageable by a, pinion similar to the pinion |28 on the cross shaft |29 hereinabove mentioned, the shaft on each rack being operatively connected. together by a torque tube |89,r whereby movement of one tripping bar is communicated to the companion tripping bar in the other rack, and the stoppage of either one eects stoppage of the other. Similarly the bell crank lever |69 of the one rack may be operatively connected to a similar bell crank lever (not shown) provided on a companion rack; the two bell crank levers being connected together by means of a second torque tube whereby movement of onesalvo bar is communicated to the companion salvo bar in the opposite rack, and the stoppage of either one effects stoppage of the other.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A multiple station bomb release comprising ing through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in noncocked position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means, but when moved into cocked position lyingi4 in the paths of the actuating means and the selector device, pin sears carriedV by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to engage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive cocked station, stop means on the selector device, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed only when the latter'is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, and tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device.

2. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station and actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide pin and means supporting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the latter repeatedly through a definite path, a selecto-r device likewise extending through the several stations, means to effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in non-cocked position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means, but when moved into cocked position lying in the paths of the actuatng means and the selector device, pin sears carried .by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to engage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive cocked station, stop means on the selector device, cooperating stop means associated with each retaining means, and disposed onlS7 when the latter is in cocked position, to stop the selector pin Sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating means and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and station selector sears extending along the selector device, and engageable with each retaining means, after the latter has been tripped. to prevent recocking of the retaining means until the selector device is returned to its initial position.

3. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station and actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including a slide pin and means supporting and guiding the pin for longitudinal movement and for bodily movement .transversely of the pin, actuating means extending through the several stations, means to reciprocate the latter repeatedly through a deiinite path, a selector device likewise extending through the several stations, means to eiect its advance step by step in a deiinite path in one direction, and permitting its return, the pin of each retaining means, when the latter is in non-cocked position, lying outside of the path of the actuating means, but when moved into cocked position lying in the paths of the actuating means and the selector device, pin sears carried by said selector device and spaced, relative to the spacing between stations, to engage and move axially in succession the pin of each successive cocked station, stop means on the selector device, cooperating stop means associated with each retainingY means, and disposed only when the latter is in cocked-position, to stop the selector pin sear in position to hold the corresponding pin in its axially moved position, tripping sears carried by the actuating lmeans and engageable, upon reciprocation of the latter, with any axially moved pin, thereby to trip the corresponding retaining means and the release device, and means engageable with all the pin supporting and guiding means, and movable to lock all such means in cocked position.

4. A multiple station bomb release comprising a spring-loaded release device at each station and actuable into cocked and uncooked positions. a frame including the several stations, an arm plvotally supported on said frame at each station, and operatively connected to the release device whereby the two move together, a sear pivoted in the frame and engageable with said arm to hold the release device in cocked position, a trip arm movable with said sear, a spring-held slide pin slidable, transversely of the frame, in the swinging end of the trip arm, an actuating bar guided in the frame for repeated longitudinal reciprocation, and extending through the several stations, a selector bar likewise extending through the several stations and guided in the frame for longitudinal movement, a spring tending to advance said selector bar in one direction, a plurality of pin sears, one for each station, carried by said selector bar, and spaced and positioned to singly engage and move axially each slide pin in succession, and in opposition to its spring, stop means on the selector bar, cooperating stop means on said iirstmentioned arm, engageable when in cocked position with the selector bar stop means, to stop the selector bar pin sear in engagement with the corresponding slide pin, thereby to hold the latter in axially displaced position, a plurality of tripping sears carried by the actuating bar, and engageable upon reciprocation of the latter with any axially displaced slide pin, thereby to trip the corresponding pivoted sear, the first-mentioned arm, and the release device.

5. In combination with two or more multiple station bomb racks intended for successive release of bombs, a bomb release device at each station of each rack actuable into cocked and uncocked positions, means at each station to retain the same in cocked positions, means in each rack and movable into operative relationship to each cocked station of the rack in succession to condition such station for release, actuating means in each rack and operable upon any such conditioned station to trip and release the same, motor means to actuate each actuating means, a common operating means for the several motor means, a movable control member on each rack and "operati-ve :in naz-primary `,position itc connect the lmotor means mi the associated .rack with :said vor @rating means 'and operative in a :secondary position to disconnect the motor means 'from the cpferating means and to connect ythe :latterwith'the control member of `a com'panion'rack, andmeans in each rack operable for moving `the rack control member from its primary toits'secondarypo- 1sition, :said Amea-ns being operatively connected lwith :the actuating :means of the track to be vonerated thereby `fau-tomatically upon release of ithe laststation of t-he rack. Y

In combination with two or more multiple station .bomb :racks Iintended for successive release of bombs, :a :bomb .release 'device at AAeach station .of each .rack actuable :into cockedand 1uncocked positions, means at each station to retain thesame in .cocked position, selector means movable into operative relationship itc each cocked station `in succession .to condition such station fior release, actuating means operable fupon any vsum conditioned station to trip and release the saine, a :solenoid to actua-te each tripping .mean-sa common :circuit and -a .single switch :therein to ienergize the several :solenoid-s nf the 'several racks, and a rout-over switch engageable by the `selector means, following release of thelast :bomb ci agiven rack, to deenerg-ize the .solenoid of such track and to energize the solenoidof .the nextirack to be discharged.

7. A ,multiple station bomb release comprising a release device at each station and :actuable into cocked and uncocked positions, means :at each station to retain the same in cocked position, each of said means including :a tripping device, actuating means movable to engage a tripping `,device to release the corresponding station; :solenoid means including means for energizing and deenergizi-ng fthe same to effect step by step ad- Vance of said actuating .means in afdenite path in one direction, selector means at each station, each of .said means including Aa ycamming finger and means supporting said finger for longitudinal `swinging movement and for swinging movement transversely of the finger, the iinger of each selector means, when said retaining means is iin uncooked position, laying in the path of movement of said actuating means but laying outside the vpath of movement of said actuating means, when ,said retaining means is in cocked position, a breaker member swingable with said camming nger, -a relatively fixed breaker member associated with said swingable breaker member, and selector sears `carried by said actuated means, and spaced relative to the spacing between stations, said sears being engageable, upon movement of said actuating means, with any longitudinally .moved linger, to swing transversely, and in succession, the finger .of each succeeding uncooked station, to separate said breaker members, whereby said solenoid means is de-energized and rie-energized to advance said actuating means through any such uncooked stations.

8. A multiple lstation bomb release comprising a release link at each station and actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means at each station and engageable with the release link to retain the same in cocked position, .a tripping bar .movable past the several stations to successively engage and release the links, solenoid means to l actuate said tripping bar, a common circuit `and. a manually operable .control switch therein to energize said solenoid, and selector means at each station, each of said selector means including a .breaker mechanism electrically .connected in circuit with said solenoid yandioperable said itripping bar in the uncocked .condition of the station, to interrupt said circuit Aand cause said 'tripping .bar :to "be advanced into operative relationship with the next :succeeding cocked station, vtvhereby the several `cocked stations are releasable :in succession by successive operation of said A:control switch. Y

9` A multiple station bomb .release :comprising a release link vat each station and actuable :into `cocked and uncooked positions,meansat each station to .retain rthe same .in cocked position, vatripping bar movable past the several stationsfto successively'release the links, 'solenoid means to actuate said tripping bar and effect its advance :step by step in a definite path yin one "direction, 4a vcommon circuit ,and a single manually operated :control vswitch Ytherein to energize said solenoid, `and selector means :at each station, each of said means including a breaker .mechanism `electrically connected to said .solenoid and operable .by :said tripping bar, at any uncooked station, to interrupt said circuit and cause said tripping bar i'ioberauto matically advanced through such uncooked :station and Vinto tripping relationship with the .next cocked vstation `by a single depression of #said ycon trol switch.

l0. A multiple station bomb release comprising a release link Yat each station and actuafble into cocked and uncooked positions, means :at 'each station to retain the .same in cocked position, a tripping bar movable past the several stations to successively release the links, 'solenoid means to actuate said tripping bar and effect its :ad-Vance step by step in a definite path `in `one sdirection, a common circuit 'and 'a single manually .operated control switch therein to energize `said solenoid, selector vmeans at each station, each of said iselector 'means including a breaker mechanism electrically yconnected lto sai-d solenoid 'and operable bysaidtripping bar, at any uncooked station, rto interrupt said circuit and cause said tripping bar to be automatically advanced through such rmcocked station and into tripping relationship-with the next cocked station by a single depression of said control switch, `means engageable with the retaining means atall stationsfand movable at `will to lock all stations in cocked position, and means associating with said locking means Vand operable upon movement of the latter to simultaneously lock said solenoid means against release,

ll. A multiple station bomb release `comprising .a release link at each station and actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means at .each station to retain the .same in cocked position including a trip element actuatable to disengage the retaining means from the said link, a tripping bar movable past the several stations and having projections spaced in sequence to engage and actuate the trip elements to successively release the links, solenoid means to actua'te -sai'd tripping bar and effect its advance step by step in a definite path in one direction, a common circuit and a single manually operated control switch therein to energize said solenoid, selector vmeans at each station, each of said selector means including a breaker mechanism electrically con-nected tesaid solenoid and operable by said tripping bar, at any uncooked station, to interrupt said circuit and cause said tripping bar to be automatically advanced through such uncooked station and into tripping relationship with the next cocked station by a single depression of said control switch and manual control means including a bar movable relatively to the several stations and having 4cam slots embracing the several trip elements and responsive to movement of the bar in one direction to engage and move the trip elements to eiect release of the links and responsive to movement of the bar in the opposite direction to engage and hold the trip elements against actuation.

12. A bomb release comprising a release device actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means to retain the same in cocked position, a tripping device movable past the retaining means, solenoid means for causing movement of said tripping device, a primary control switch 'to energize said solenoid, and a breaker mechanism associated with said retaining means, said mechanism including a selector finger movable from a normal position out of the path of movement oi said tripping device, into such path, to be engaged upon movement of said trip-ping device and effect instantaneous interruption of the current passing through said solenoid and cause automatic reenergization of said solenoid.

13. A bomb release comprising a release device actuable into cocked and uncooked positions, means to retain the same in cocked position, a tripping device movable past the retaining means, solenoid means for moving said tripping device, primary control means for energizing said solenoid, secondary control means associated with said retaining means, and movable, when said retaining means moves from cocked to tripped position, from a normal position out of the path of movement of the tripping device, into such path, to be engaged thereby and momentarily interrupt the energization of said solenoid by said primary control means.

14; A multiple station bomb rack having a release device at each station movable into cocked and uncooked positions, a tripping device, actuating means connected with the tripping device i and operable through a given cycle to move the the several trip elements singly and in succession and adapted when in contact with a trip element to position the same in the path of the tripping device, self-acting means operating when the selector means is out of contact with a trip element to position the latter out of the path of the tripping device, means operatively connected with and controlled by the release devices to be eiective in the cocked position of a release device to stop the movement of the selector means when the latter is in contact with the associated trip element and to be effective in the uncooked position of the release device to allow the selector means to be moved past the said trip element, and means connected with the selector means and self-acting at the completion of each operating cycle of the tripping device actuating nmeans toV move the selector means in the given direction and past uncooked release devices and to the next cocked release device.

15. A multiple station bomb rack having a release device at each station movable into cocked and uncooked positions, means at each station for retaining the release device in cocked position and capable of being tripped to free the release device for movement into uncooked position, said retaining means including a trip pin, electromechanical means for selectively releasing the stations and including a tripping member, and actuating mechanism operatively connected with the tripping member for moving the latter step by step past the stations and into engagement with the trip pins of the several retaining means in succession to trip the latter, and manual control means including a bar movable relatively to all stations and having cam openings embracing the several trip pins, said openings having surfaces operable in one position of the bar to lock the trip pins against tripping action and in another position of the bar to trip the said pins simultaneously and in an intermediate position of the bar to free the pins for tripping action by operation of the electro-mechanical means.

LAWRENCE J. EYLER. 

